Electric bicycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9963185-B2
Application number	US-201514804907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2015
Priority date	Aug 1, 2014
Publication date	May 8, 2018
Grant date	May 8, 2018

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first segment has a first face and the second segment has a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position. A hinge is disposed between the first and second faces. A locking device extends through at least one of the first and second faces.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bicycle comprising:
a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position, the first segment having a first face and the second segment having a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position;
a hinge between the first and second faces; and
a locking device extending through at least one of the first and second faces;
wherein the locking device is a U-shaped locking member; and
wherein the U-shaped locking member is disposed between the first and second faces when the first and second segments are in the unfolded position.

2. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and second segments define a cavity between the faces and wherein the U-shaped locking member is disposed in the cavity.

3. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first face defines two sockets configured to receive the U-shaped locking member when the first and second segments are in the unfolded position.

4. The bicycle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the second face defines a socket and wherein one of the sockets of the first face and the socket of the second face are configured to receive the U-shaped locking member when the first and second segments are in the folded position.

5. The bicycle as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least one of the first and second segments includes a lock that releasably locks the U-shaped locking member in the sockets.

6. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking device is a flexible cable extendable from and retractable into one of the first and second faces.

7. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a proximity sensor configured to sense an identifier and to lock the locking system when the identifier is moved beyond a predetermined distance and to unlock the locking system when the identifier is moved within the predetermined distance.

8. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a shell enclosing at least a portion of the first segment and at least a portion of the second segment when the first and second segments are in the folded position.

9. The bicycle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the shell is removable from the frame.

10. An electric bicycle comprising:
a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position, the first segment having a first face and the second segment having a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position;
a hinge between the first and second faces;
a charging unit supported by at least one of the first and second faces; and
a battery in communication with the charging unit.

11. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the charging unit is a power socket.

12. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the at least one of the first and second faces defines locking sockets disposed on opposite sides of the power socket.

13. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 12 further comprising at least one of a U-shaped locking member and a flexible cable engageable with the locking sockets.

14. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking member is configured to engage a charging plug.

15. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking member is configured to engage the locking sockets when the first and second segments are in the unfolded position.

16. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first and second segments define a cavity between the faces when the first and second segments are in the folded position and wherein the locking member is disposed in the cavity.

17. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 13 wherein at least one of the first and second segments includes a lock that releasably locks the locking member in the locking sockets.

18. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a locking member configured to engage a charging plug and releasably lock the charging plug to the charging unit.

19. A bicycle comprising:
a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position, the first segment having a first face and the second segment having a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position;
a hinge between the first and second faces; and
a locking device extending through at least one of the first and second faces;
wherein the locking device is a U-shaped locking member;
wherein the first face defines two sockets configured to receive the U-shaped locking member when the first and second segments are in the unfolded position.

20. A bicycle comprising:
a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position, the first segment having a first face and the second segment having a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position;
a hinge between the first and second faces; and
a locking device extending through at least one of the first and second faces;
wherein the locking device is a flexible cable extendable from and retractable into one of the first and second faces.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Neugebauer James
• Southey Bruce
• Lloyd James
• Craven Richard
• Gerhardt Torsten
• Potticary Simon
• Mundy Jonathan

Classifications

• B62K11/00

  Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels (fairings or streamlining parts not forming part of the frame B62J; transmission of drive from engines to wheels B62M) · CPC title

• B60L53/68

  Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control · CPC title

• B62J6/015

  using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements · CPC title

• B62J45/20

  Cycle computers as cycle accessories · CPC title

• B62J45/10

  Arrangement of audio equipment; Supports therefor · CPC title